SAD claims massive support to bandh call in Punjab

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Thursday claimed "overwhelming support" in Punjab to the bandh call given by NDA and other parties to protest FDI in multi-brand retail and diesel price hike.

"The unprecedented support to the bandh call in the state indicates the anger of the people against the anti-people policies of the Congress-led UPA government," SAD spokesperson Daljit Singh Cheema said here on Thursday.

NDA, Left parties and SP had called for nationwide bandh to protest against diesel price hike, FDI in multi-brand retail and cap on subsidised LPG.

Cheema said, "As per the reports received from all the district headquarters from the state, the bandh was complete and peaceful in Punjab."

All shops, bazaars, shopping malls and other commercial establishments remained closed across the state, sources said here.

Cheema said at all district headquarters, senior leaders of the SAD-BJP alliance, party MLAs, MPs and other office bearers of both the parties accompanied by leaders of many trade and social organisations submitted a detailed memorandum to the respective deputy commissioners to be forwarded to the President.

It was demanded that the "unwarranted and highly unjustified" decisions to hike the prices of diesel, reduction in subsidy of LPG and allowing FDI in retail sector be rolled back without delay.